Tomorrow, a merchant caravan is headed up the coastline to Luskan. The caravan master, a tall half-elf named Wilavor, hired the Ruthless Blades for protection. They'll be following the High Road, but it's a long trip and you can never be too careful. The head priest of the church of Kelemvor also secured me a spot on the caravan as a healer.
Yesterday after my meditation in the garden, I went to see the head priest, a matronly woman and shared my dream with her. Since I joined the church, she has always looked after and counseled me. I instinctively knew when I met her she would help me with following my dreams.
We discussed my recent dream over tea, and I told her I felt I needed to follow Valentiniano and see what Kelemvor's plans for me are. We spoke into the early evening, Elanor probed to check my resolve and counseled me in a way only a mother figure could. She granted me leave from the church to follow this course.
Back in my room, I packed up my few belongings, all provided to me by the church, into my chest. Elanor said she would have it sent to the caravan. I set my amulet, a flask of holy water, and a quarterstaff on the end of my bed. I hoped my parents still had my traveling backpack, it would be nice to have a little bit of home with me while on the road. I've been on many trading expeditions along the Sword Coast with my family, but this will be the first time I've left the city on my own. I looked around the small, simple room that has been my home for the past four years and wiped away the tears that started to flow. After a good cry, I headed out to my childhood home to say goodbye to my family. I will miss my parents and I will especially miss Envon. I know this will be hard for both of us, even more than when I left home to join the church.
The church, my duties, and my studies keep me pretty busy, so I don't get a chance to visit home very often. Now, knowing I'm leaving Waterdeep, I wish I had made more time to visit Envon, Mom, and Dad.
"Don't cry again Zira," I said to myself and squared my shoulders before I walked inside.
It was almost dinner time and all I could smell when I walked in, was home; freshly baked bread, honey, a pork roast over the fire, and GOOD mead. Mom heard me come in, turned, pulled me into her, and wrapped me in a hug.
"Oh, Zira! I've missed you. Dad and Envon will be so excited to see you. Are you staying for dinner?" That last part was her telling me I was staying for dinner. Thankfully that was my plan. I wanted a good home-cooked meal before leaving tomorrow.
"Yes, Mom, I'm here for dinner." I smiled into her shoulder, "Where are Envon and Dad?"
"They're in the back, finishing up the cleaning for the night. They should be out any minute. You got here just in time for dinner." She steered me toward a chair and as I sat down, I tried to hide a sly smile. I timed my arrival perfectly, I did not want to get roped into helping with clean up.
Envon and Dad's appearance saved me from Mom and a huge grin appeared on my face when I saw my twin! I jumped up, practically knocking over the chair as I rushed open-armed into Envon's arms. We were a tangled twirling hugging whirlwind knocking over a broom, Envon was grinning ear to ear and I knew my own face matched his exactly. Envon is my identical, fraternal twin. This means that we look identical except for his brown eyes and my gold eyes. Well, we used to look identical, but now my scars have changed that… Oh yeah, and he's a man.
"Children!" I was pulled away from my thoughts when Mom yelled at us for knocking stuff over.
It was as if we really were children again, Envon and I stopped dead, bowed our heads, and mumbled in unison, "Sorry, Mom." and slid into our seats. Mom gave us "The Look." because we left the broom on the floor. Envon and I ignored her and stared at each other, trying to get the other to pick up the broom. I heard Dad chuckle when he slipped into his seat. And I know Mom was still giving us "The Look."
"Sit down, sweety," Dad said and patted Mom's seat, "You know one of them will pick it up. It's just a matter of how long they want to go without dinner." And he's right one of us always caves, but tonight I was determined not to be the one.
"Zira, I'm here every day picking things up," Envon stated, trying to guilt me into it. And on most visits that would work. But this was my last night at home for I don't know how long, and I would NOT be guilted into picking up a broom.
"Envon, since I'm not here much, I am considered a guest. And guests should be cared for by their host," I responded sweetly and smiled.
Envon must have been feeling just as determined as me because our little game went on for several minutes or more. Each of us declared another reason the other should pick up the knocked-over broom. It definitely went on long enough that Mom and Dad were losing their patience with us. I heard Mom sigh and I knew "The Look" was back.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning and I don't know when I'll be home again!" I exclaimed.
Envon, Mom, and Dad froze and stared at me.
Ugh, this is not the way I wanted to tell them. I took a deep breath, they know about my dreams, but they don't understand how important they are to me. It's part of who I am as an Aasimar. I told them about my dream, Valentiniano, the merchant caravan, and that the church had given me permission. And although I could tell they didn't truly understand how important this is to me, they love me and want me to be happy. Just like when I left to join Kelemvor's church. I could tell that a little piece of Envon's heart was breaking because I know that mine was too.
The rest of dinner was talk of my coming adventure and suggestions, lots and lots of suggestions o G. Dad still had my traveling pack and all its gear! And much to my surprise he also gave me some studded leather armor and a crossbow, Dad taught Envon and me to shoot when we were younger.
"To keep you safe," Dad said. I've only ever hunted with my crossbow, I can't imagine using it in defense.
It was hard to leave them tonight, but I wanted to get back to the church before it got too late. We hugged and cried and told each other how much we loved everyone. I promised to write whenever I could. And I left my home for the last time.
Oh, and Envon picked up the broom.
Z